Sermon: March 29, 2026

Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus answers our prayer of “Hosanna, Lord save us.” He just may not answer it in the way we expect.

We ask for control—and he offers trust. We ask for things to be fixed—and he offers his presence. We ask for our circumstances to change—and he begins by changing us.

And this is where our prayer begins to reshape us. Because the way we pray shapes what we believe, and what we believe shapes how we live.

Which means we don’t just pray “Hosanna, Lord save us” and then wait for God to do his thing. We begin to live that prayer. We become part of the way God answers it.

When we feed someone who is struggling, when we show mercy instead of judgment, when we refuse to return anger with anger, or violence with more violence, when we walk with someone through grief, fear, or uncertainty—this is the prayer taking shape in us. This is “Hosanna” becoming more than words. It is, in fact, God answering the prayers of another who is crying out, “Hosanna, Lord save us.”

So today, as we hold these palms and lift our voices, we need to consider what we truly mean when we say the word "Hosanna." Lord, save us. Do we mean: “Fix this.” “Make life easier.” “Give us control.”

Or do we mean: “Lord, save us from fear.

Save us from the need to control everything.

Save us from the kind of power that dominates instead of loves.

Save us from every version of faith that looks more like Rome than like you.

Save us your way, even when it’s not the way we expect.”

And then—send us. Send us into a world that is still hurting. Send us to people who are still struggling. Send us to live differently.

To love when it would be easier to hate.

To serve when it would be easier to control.

To show mercy when it would be easier to judge.

Because this is how your salvation is made known.

Not just in what we say… but in the way we live.